Apparatus for treating fur



March 9, 1943. R. H. PLASS 293339573 APPARATUS FOR TREATING FUR L Filedigb. 2'7, 1941, 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

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R. H. Puss APPARATUS FORITREATING FUR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1941 INVENTOR. rffl. 423/ M ATTORNEY.

Margh 1943 R. H. PLASS 2,313,578

APPARATUS FOR TREATING. FUR

Filed Feb. -27, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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Patented Mar. 9, 1943 APPARATUS FOR TREATING FUR Robert H. Plass, Upper Montclair, N. J., assignor to The Chapal Donner'Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 27, 1941, Serial No. 380,833

9 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for treating fur; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to means for automatically applying a treating liquid, such, e. g., as a carroting solution, dye or the like, to the fur of pelts or skins passed through the apparatus.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel construction of machine for brushing a treating solution or liquid into the fur of a pelt or skin under such control as to assure a uniform automatic application of the same thereto in desired quantity, to a desired depth, and in such manner as to brush or work the same thoroughly and evenly into all desired parts of the fur.

The invention has for another object to provide in a machine for the purposes stated, in cooperation with rotary brushes thereof, respectively operative to initially apply a treating solution or liquid to the fur and then to work the same thereinto, novel adjustable means for both propelling the fur pelts or skins over the brushes and pressing them against the same in such manner that a substantial area of the brushes and fur are brought into mutual engagement, thus assuring eifective application and working of the solution or liquid into the fur in desired amount and to desired depth.

A further object of the invention is to provide in cooperation with the respective brushes of the machine, which are driven at constant speed, rotary fur pelt or skin propelling and pressing means together with driving means therefor including means for regulating the speed thereof relative to the respective brushes with which they cooperate, whereby to regulate the amount of brushing eifect upon the fur pelts or sln'ns by said respective brushes.

Other objects of this invention, not. at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of a machine according to this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of the machine; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View thereof, taken on line 2-2 in Fig. l; and Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view thereof, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2, but drawn on an enlarged scale.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the machine according to this invention comprises a pair of laterally spaced side frames I adjacent to the respective ends of which rise rearward bearing standards 2 and forward bearing standards 3. Journaled in and between said rearward bearing standards 2 is the shaft 4 of a cylindrical applicator brush roll 5. Supported upon cross bars 6 carried by the side frames I, so as to be disposed beneath said brush roll 5, is a basin or trough 6, to which a treating solution to be applied to fur, such, e. g., as a carroting solution, is supplied, in such manner as to be maintained therein at such predetermined level as will permit the bristles of the brush roll 5 to dip therein, so as to be wetted thereby.

The means for supplying the solution to the basin or trough 6 comprises, a Mariottes bottle I supported at a height above that of the basin or trough 6 upon a suitable pedestal frame 8. Said bottle is provided at its lower portion with a discharge outlet 9 to which is connected a two-way valve I0 having an angular or dependent nozzle I I and an axial nozzle I 2. Said dependent nozzle II terminates in a vertically adjustable discharge tube I3 which enters into a level determining reservoir I 3. Said reservoir I4 is supported from said pedestal frame 8 by a bracket means I 5. Said reservoir I4 terminates at its bottom portion in a discharge spout It to which is attached a flexible conduit or hose ll. Said hose H extends to the bottom of said basin or trough 6 being coupled to a bottom intake means I8 with which the latter is provided. The neck of the bottle I is closed by a stopper I9, having a manipulatable vent valve 20 associated therewith. In

use, the vent valve 20 being closed and the valve Ill being adjusted to discharge solution from the bottle through the dependent nozzle I I and its discharge tube It into the reservoir I4, the solution Will flow into the latter, and through the hose I"! into the basin or trough 6 until the level of solution in the reservoir I l rises to close the discharge tube I3 against influx of air to the bottle interior. In this manner the level of solution in the reservoir I4 predetermines the level of solution in the basin or trough 6, in a manner responding to familiar physical laws. If desired, the discharge outlet of, the reservoir I4 may be protected against stoppage by a screen plate 2|. When the supply of solution in the bottle I is exhausted, the same may be refilled, by opening the vent valve 20 for the escape of trapped air, and then adjusting the two-way valve to close the discharge nozzle II and open the axial nozzle I2, whereupon by attachment to the latter of suitable supply means replenishing solution may be forced into the bottle 'I for refilling the same. After the bottle I is refilled, the vent valve 20 is closed, and

the two-way valve readjusted to the above described normal initial condition for continuing the supply of solution to the basin or trough 6.

The upper end portions of the bearing standards 2 are provided with slideways 22 in which are mounted vertically adjustable bearing blocks 23. Simultaneous and corresponding adjusting movement of said bearing blocks is governed by their adjusting screws 24 which are threaded in the top caps 25 of said bearing standards, and which are joined for simultaneous and corre sponding adjusting manipulation by sprocket and chain means 25.

J ournaled in and between said bearing blocks 23 is the shaft 21 of a combined propelling and presser roll 28 which is located above the brush roll 5. Said roll 28 is provided with a plurality of spaced toothed discs 29, thereby providing a main toothed propelling and presser roll which will engage and propel, forwardly over the brush roll 5, a fur pelt or skin F to be treated, as will be subsequently more fully explained,

Connected with the bearing blocks 23, so as to be carried thereby and move therewith when the same are vertically adjusted, are rearwardly offset bearing arms 39 and forwardly offset bearing arms 3|. J ournaled in and between the free ends of said rearwardly ofiset bearing arms 39 is the shaft 32 of a feed roller 33, which is thus disposed in advance of the brush roll and in position to cooperate with said main toothed propelling and presser roll 2829. J ournaled in and between the free ends of said forwardly offset bearing arms 3| is the shaft 34 of a propelling and presser roll 35 which is also provided with a plurality of spaced toothed discs 36, thereby providing an auxiliary toothed propelling and presser roll which is spaced beyond said main toothed propelling and presser roll, but in cooperative relation to the periphery of said applicator brush roll 5.

Said rearward bearing standards 2 are provided with rearwardly projecting bracket arms 31 adapted to support a receiving table 38 in advance of said feed roller 33.

J ournaled in and between said forward bearing standards 3 is the shaft 39 of a cylindrical brushing-out brush roll 49. Supported upon cross-bars 4| carried by the side frames I, so as to be disposed beneath said brush roll 49 is a catch-basin 42, the same having a bottom outlet 43, normally closed by a removable stopper or plug 44.

The upper end portions of said bearing standards 3 are also provided with slideways 45 in which are mounted vertically adjustable bearing blocks 46, the adjusting screws 41 of which may be simultaneously and correspondingly operated by sprocket and chain means 48 to raise or lower said bearing blocks 46 and the mechanisms carried thereby. Journaled in and between said bearing blocks 46 is the shaft 49 of a combined propelling and presser roll 50 which is located above said brushing-out brush roll 49. Said roll 50 is provided with a plurality of spaced toothed discs 5i, thereby providing a main toothed propelling and presser roll which will engage and propel, forwardly over the brush roll 49, a fur pelt or skin F which is under treatment.

Connected with the bearing blocks 46, so as to be carried thereby and move therewith when the same are vertically adjusted, are rearwardly offset bearing arms 52 and forwardly offset bearing arms 53. Journaled in and between the free ends of said rearwardly offset bearing arms 52 is the shaft 54 of a feed roller 55, which is disposed in advance of said brush-out brush roll 40 and in position to cooperate with said main toothed propelling and presser roll 50-5 l J ournaled in and between the free ends of said forwardly offset bearing arms 53 is the shaft 56 of a propelling and presser roll 51. which is also provided with a plurality of spaced toothed discs 58, thereby providing an auxiliary toothed propelling and presser roll which is spaced beyond said main toothed propelling and presser roll 50-5|, but in cooperative relation to the periphcry of said brushing-out brush roll 40.

Journaled in and between said side frames I, e. g., below said catch-basin 42 and brushing-out brush roll 40 and associated devices, is a drive shaft 59, Which may be driven from a suitable source of power by suitable transmission means, such, e. g., as the drive belt 60 and fast and loose pulleys 6! with which said drive shaft is equipped; Also journaled in and between said side frames I, e. g., below the basin or trough 6 and applicator brush roll 5 and associated devices, is a counter-shaft 62. Said counter-shaft 62 is driven from said drive shaft 59 by suitable transmission means, such, e. g., as the chain and sprocket means 63. Said applicator brush roll 5 is driven from said counter-shaft 62 by suitable transmission means, such, e. g., as the chain and sprocket means 64. Said brushing-out brush roll 49 is driven directly from said drive shaft 59 by suitable transmission means, such, e. g., as the chain and sprocket means 55. Preferably, the applicator brush roll 5 and the brushing-out brush roll 49 are respectively driven at constant speeds, but the applicator brush roll 5 is driven at a relatively slow speed, while the brushing-out brush roll is driven at a comparatively high speed. For example, the applicator brush roll 5 is driven at about R. P. M., while the brushing-out brush roll 49 is driven at about 800 R. P. M.

Journaled in and between bearings 66, with which the side frames I are provided intermediate the applicator brush station and the brushingout brush station, is a second counter-shaft 61, which is driven from said drive shaft 59 by intermediate transmission means, such as the sprocket and chain means 68.

The respective main propelling and presser rolls and the feed and auxiliary propelling and presser rolls respectively associated therewith are each actuated at selectively regulatable speed through the following mechanisms. Suitably supported upon the framework of the machine is a variable speed control means 69, the power input side of which is connected by belt and pulley or other suitable transmission means 10 actuated by said counter-shaft 61. Also supported upon the framework of the machine is a speed reduction means H of any suitable form. The power output side of said variable speed control means 69 is connected to the power input side of said speed reduction means H by belt and pulley or other suitable transmission means 12. The shaft of the main propelling and presser roll to be driven is connected with the power output side of said speed reduction means II by belt and pulley or other suitable transmission means 13. The feed roll associated with the thus driven main propelling and presser roll is driven from the shaft of the latter by belt and pulley or other suitable transmission means I4; and, in like manner, the auxiliary propelling and presser roll associated with said main propelling and presser to amount of treating roll is driven from the shaift o f the latter by belt and pulley or other suitable transmission means 15.

Mounted to extend between the discharge side of the applicator brush roll and the receiving side of said brushing-out roll 4!] is a screen table 15, the same being mounted within an enclosing drip-pan 11; the latter being inclined to drain back into the basin or trough B.

Mounted over the catch-basin 42, beyond the discharge side of the brushing-out roll 40, is an open grating or screen 78 of suitable form.

In use the machine is served by three attendants or operators, one to deliver the fur pelts or skins to the applicator brush roll means; the second to receive the fur pelts or skins discharged from the applicator brush roll means and thereupon turn and deliver the same to the brushingout brush roll means; and the third to receive the fur pelts or skins from the latter brush roll means and remove the same from the machine.

The first operator grasps the fur pelt or skin I? to be treated, and positions the same fur side down and head end forward upon the table 38, and thereupon feeds the head end between the feed roll 33 and propelling and presser roll 28-29. The teeth of the propelling and presser roll 28 29 grips the back of the pelt or skin and propels the same onward over the applicator brush roll 5 and into engagement by the auxiliary propelling and presser roll 35-35, the teeth of which continue the propelling eiTect.

Owing to the spaced relation of the main and auxiliary propelling and presser rolls and their tangential relation to the peripheral surface of the applicator brush roll 5, the portion f the fur pelt or skin F extending between said propelling and presser rolls will be caused to assume an arcuate disposition conforming to the peripheral contour of the applicator brush roll 5, whereby the brush bristles will be compelled to uniformly penetrate the fur, and thus apply the treating solution, clipped and carried by the brush from the basin or trough 6, uniformly and efiiciently to the fur. presser rolls are vertically adjustable, the same may be selectively disposed to exercise just the proper degree of pressure upon the fur pelt or skin as will push the fur to any desired selected depth into penetrating brush roll bristles. Since the applicator brush roll is operated at a constant speed, and since the propelling and presser rolls may be operated at variable speed, the speed of the latter may be selectively adjusted to obtain a speed of advance of the fur pelt or skin which will permit a brushing efiect of desired duration. These two adjustments, 1. e., degree of pressure of the fur against the applicator brush roll and speed of advancing movement of the fur over the applicator brush roll, readily permit control as solution applied to thefur, how deep it is applied, and how hard or lightly the same is brushed with the same. Since the fur pelt or skin is served head first to the applicator brush roll. and since the latter rotates in a clockwise direction so that its fur engaging bristles move toward the head end of the pelt or skin, it will be obvious that the brushing effect is exerted against the lay of the fur, and consequently a very efiicient penetration of the brush bristles into the fur, with treating solution applying effeet is assured.

Upon discharge of the fur pelt or skin F from the applicator brush roll means, it is delivered onto the screen table 16, here the second operator Since the propelling and I grasps the same and turns it end for end, and thereupon serves the sametail end first to the brushing-out brush roll means, whereby the same is gripped between the associated main propolling and presser roll 5l and feed roll and propelled forward to the auxiliary propelling and presser rollB'I-EB, whereby it is arcuately spread and pressed against the peripheral surface of the brushing-out brush roll 49. Said brush roll 40 is driven at a constant but relatively high speed in clockwise direction, and since its bristles move toward the tail end of the fur pelt or skin F, i. e., in the direction of the natural lay of the fur, not only will the fur be slicked down, but any excess treating solution will be brushed out. The solution so brushed out being collected in the catch basin 42. In this manner, the solution is well worked into the fur, while at the same time all excess thereof is removed. Since the main and auxiliary propelling and presser rolls cooperating with the brushing-out roll 48 are vertically adjustable, and since the same may be driven at variable selective speed relative to the speed of the brushing-out roll, the brushing effect is controllable as to degree and duration in substantially the same manner and with the attendant advantages already above described with respect to the applicator brush roll "means.

Upon discharge of the fur pelt or skin from the brushing-out brush roll, the same is delivered onto the grating 78, from whence it is removed by the third operator, and piled up for delivery to drying or storage rooms or for such other disposition as may be desired in any given case.

It may be pointed out that it is preferable that the auxiliary propelling and be driven at a slightly greater peripheral speed propelling and presser rolls, whereby the pelt or skin is prevented from wrinkling and is more or less tautly held in conformation to the peripheral surface of a brush roll.

Since various changes could be made in the mechanisms herein shown and described without departing from the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims; it is therefore intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyiny drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a machine for treating fur of pelts or skins, a rotary applicator brush roll, a treating solution containing trough into which said applicator brush roll dips, rotary means cooperative with said applicator brush roll conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said applicator brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, a rotary brushing-out brush roll beyond said applicator brush roll, a catch-basin cooperative with said brushing-out brush roll, and rotary means cooperative with said brushing-out roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said brushing-out brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof.

2. In a machine for treating fur of pelts or skins, a rotary applicator brush roll, a treating solution containing trough into which said applicator brush roll dips, rotary means cooperative with said applicator brush roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said applicator brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, a rotary brushing-out brush roll beyond said applicator brush roll, a catchbasin cooperative with said brushing-out brush roll, rotary means cooperative with said brushing-out roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said brushing-out brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, means to drive said brush rolls at predetermined constant speeds, and means to drive the respective propelling and pressing means at variable selected speed relative to the speeds of the brush rolls served thereby.

3. In a machine for treating fur of pelts or skins, a rotary applicator brush roll, a treating solution containing trough into which said applicator brush roll dips, rotary means cooperative with said applicator brush roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said applicator brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, a rotary brushing-out brush roll beyond said applicator brush roll, a catchbasin cooperative with said brushing-out brush roll, rotary means cooperative with said brushing-out roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said brushing-out brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, means to drive said brush rolls at predetermined constant speeds, means to drive the respective propelling and pressing means at variable selected speed relative to the speeds of the brush rolls served thereby, and means for respectively adjusting said propelling and pressing means toward and from the brush rolls served thereby,

4. A machine for treating fur pelts or skins as defined in claim 1 including, means to supply treating solution to the trough serving said applicator brush roll in a manner to maintain a predetermined level of said solution in said trough.

5. A machine for treating fur pelts or skins as defined in claim 3 including, means to supply treating solution to the trough serving said appli cator brush roll in a manner to maintain a predetermined level of said solution in said trough.

6. In a machine for treating fur pelts or skins, a rotary applicator brush roll, a treating solution containing trough into which said applicator brush roll dips, means to supply treating solution to said trough in a manner to maintain a predetermined level of solution therein, rotary means cooperative with said applicator brush roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said applicator brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, a rotary brushing-out brush roll spaced beyond said applicator brush roll, a screen table extending between said brush rolls, a drip-pan surrounding said screen table and adapted to drain back to said trough, a

catch-basin cooperative with said brushing-out brush roll, and rotary means cooperative with said brushing-out brush roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said brushing-out brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof.

'7. In a machine for treating fur pelts or skins,

a rotary applicator brush roll, a treating solution containingtrough into which said applicator brush roll dips, means to supply treating solution to said trough in a manner to maintain a predetermined level of solution therein, rotary means cooperative with said applicator brush roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said applicator brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, a rotary brushing-out brush roll spaced beyond said applicator brush roll, a screen table extending between said brush rolls, a drip pan surrounding said screen table and adapted to drain back to said trough, a catch-basin cooperative with said brushing-out brush roll, rotary means cooperative with said brushing-out brush roll for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said brushing-out brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, means to drive said brush rolls at predetermined constant speeds, means to drive the respective propelling and pressing means at variable selected speed relative to the speeds of the brush rolls served thereby, and means for respectively adjusting said propelling and pressing means toward and from the brush rolls served thereby.

In a machine for treating fur pelts or skins, a driven rotary brush roll, means for arcuately conforming portions of a pelt or skin to the peripheral contour of said brush roll while propelling the pelt or skin over the same and pressing the fur of the pelt or skin into the bristles thereof, said means comprising a pair of rolls having operative surfaces formed by a multiplicity of spaced radially projecting teeth, said toothed rolls being circumferentially spaced apart relative to the brush roll surface and each disposed in substantially tangent relation to the latter, and means for driving said toothed rolls including variable speed control means.

9. In a machine for treating fur pelts or skins, a driven constant speed carrot applicator brush roll and a driven constant speed brushing-out brush roll spaced therefrom, means cooperative with each brush roll for propelling a pelt or skin thereover while pressing the fur of the latter into the brush roll bristles, each said latter means comprising a pair of rolls having operative surfaces formed by a multiplicity of spaced radially projecting teeth, said rolls being circumferentially spaced apart and respectively tangentially disposed relative to the brush roll surface to which they are opposed, means for driving each set of toothed rolls, and a drip pan beneath said screen table.

' ROBERT H. PLASS. 

